Punting - Masthay running second

[Caveman Catfan]

Just has not shown the improvement that the coaching staff has expected from Tim. Kessler is running first string.

[gerntz]

Seems strange that he kicked so far in HS & can't be consistent here. I thought he was supposed to be a better PK than P coming in.

[cobbycobb]

perhaps we should simply move him to PK instead of P becuase I thought that was always his better position.

Heck, maybe he is sandbagging and really wants a shot at WR as I remember him stating when he signed that he wanted a shot at the WR position as well.

[baldcat]

Its pretty obvious that Masthay can't cut it as a big time punter.

I know nothing of Kessler but it can't get any worse.

[poodoo]

baldcat wrote: Its pretty obvious that Masthay can't cut it as a big time punter.

I know nothing of Kessler but it can't get any worse.



Personally, I'm not giving up on him yet, forMasthay reportedly has a very strong leg.I will say, though,that it seems to be between the ears, not a lack of talent, with Masthay. He had done well during the spring, Coach Brooks has said, but then regressed this preseason. Masthay has himself mentioned how nervous he was last year against Louisville. Kickers need CONFIDENCE and COOLNESS, and I'm not sure Tim Masthay has those important ingredients at this time. :(

[WildcatRick]

Maybe its just me, but seems a little early to give up on a guy that hasnt made the first play of his sophmore season yet.:shrug:

[trublue4life]

WildcatRick wrote: Maybe its just me, but seems a little early to give up on a guy that hasnt made the first play of his sophmore season yet.:shrug:
Me, too.

[johnkyblue]

One of the things that really bothers me about internet armchair coaches is that they write off kids waaaay too soon. They don't understand that kids are not static machines but they are growing creatures in mind and body.

As for the starting punter job this year, I am not surprised though. Masthay needs to speed it up.

[Mark Blueblood]

Come on Rick - what's the matter with you?? Why, as for me, I can tell from a kid's first 3 kicks whether or not he's gonna make it.

[Wildcat97]

He was (is?) far to slow to be a punter in college. If he is as slow in PKing, then he is not D1 material...period.

[johnkyblue]

Wildcat97, you post should read, if he doesn't speed it up, he is not D-I material. He is a sophomore, and a true one at that.

[Caveman Catfan]

Caveman Catfan wrote: Just has not shown the improvement that the coaching staff has expected from Tim. Kessler is running first string.

The above comments from Brooks, not from a fan on the Internet.

Of course, Brooks did not say he was giving up on Masthay. He said that Masthay had taken steps backwards, rather than shown improvement and quipped that maybe he (Brooks) was overcoaching the kid (or something to that effect).

[baldcat]

I'm not giving up on Masthay as a Wildcat.

He's a good athlete who could quite possibly contribute well at another position.

But that five minute delivery and the shanks will bite us on the backsideagainst UL.

[Brian McCat]

I can see how Masthay could quickly develop into a headcase. Brooks knows what he's doing, but I don't know if Kessler is the answer either.

[cobbycobb]

I won't give up on any of our kids. I think they are all capable and deserve time. Our kids are yound and until we are able to replace SR's with more Jr/Sr then we will continue to struggle at times. I love our youth at this point because it really bodes well for the future, but we can not continually rely on Fr/So.

[RedandBlackATTACK]

You have to be strong in your special team play tocompete in the SEC. Special team play has killed UK in recent years. I guess Ijustdon't understand how you cannot have your punter in place a couple weeks before the season starts. Brooks and Staff have had all summer and spring to evaluate..?? Punters/kickers are a different breed, confidence in thier ability is a huge factor in how they perform.

Rick

C-Bus

[Brian McCat]

RedandBlackATTACK wrote: You have to be strong in your special team play tocompete in the SEC. Special team play has killed UK in recent years. I guess Ijustdon't understand how you cannot have your punter in place a couple weeks before the season starts. Brooks and Staff have had all summer and spring to evaluate..?? Punters/kickers are a different breed, confidence in thier ability is a huge factor in how they perform.

Rick

C-Bus


Exactly what I was trying to say, Rick. You should take a job being my interpreter!:P

I think that Masthay still suffers under the beatdown that he took from the fans when he first got here.

I won't give up on any of our players, but if a player fails to prepare and develop his skills over the summer, you have to wonder if he's committed to the plan.

[poodoo]

Caveman Catfan wrote: Caveman Catfan wrote: Just has not shown the improvement that the coaching staff has expected from Tim. Kessler is running first string.

The above comments from Brooks, not from a fan on the Internet.

Of course, Brooks did not say he was giving up on Masthay. He said that Masthay had taken steps backwards, rather than shown improvement and quipped that maybe he (Brooks) was overcoaching the kid (or something to that effect).


Too, to clarify my post, that was what I meant to besaying. As I said, I am definitely NOT giving up on Masthay. Also, Coach Brooks is NOT giving up on Masthay. Masthay has indeed not taken a single snap as a sophomore and may still become the punter this staff has thought he can be. Regardless, though, it is obvious that Coach Brooks and his assistants to not think he is ready "at this time."

By the way, I used the :(at the end of my post, as I am disappointed that Masthay is not ready "at this time." I really believe we need his strong leg on punts. He has gotten off some beauties, although any UK punter will have a hard time matching my all-time favorite UK punter, Glenn Pakulak.

Yes, Masthay gets off his punts very slowly, and that is a concern. I still believe, though, that his lack of confidence is his greatest problem. Hopefully that confidence comes as he matures. I do believe that can happen, and he can still be a strong punter for us, hopefully this season. When he does punt, we fans need to be careful not to moan and groan when he messes up, although I fully understand that is a natural reaction (while booing is most deliberate and totally inexcusable). His confidence level obviously needs to go up, not down.

Actually, we are hoping the same with our potential starting quarterback, Andre Woodson. May both of these young men become more confident as they grow with age, and may we fans never give up on a player.

[RV]

It's going to be difficult for Masthay to succeed as apunter unless he can/will change from a three-step punter to a two-step punter. Kessler is a two-step and that's why he gets the ball off quicker. I'm guessing Brooks likes the potential in Masthay as he has a big leg but up until now he has been either unwilling or unable to change his kicking delivery. it's gotten to the point where he needs to fish or cut bait.

[7lives]

This is what Coach Brooks had to say after Saturday's (8/19) scrimmage: (from, ukathletics.com)


On the team’s punting …
“Kris Kessler didn’t do as well today (as he had been) and Tim Masthay was better, so that competition continues.”

Seems a few posters' Commentswere off base and premature!!

[poodoo]

7lives wrote: This is what Coach Brooks had to say after Saturday's (8/19) scrimmage: (from, ukathletics.com)


On the team’s punting …
“Kris Kessler didn’t do as well today (as he had been) and Tim Masthay was better, so that competition continues.”

Seems a few posters' Commentswere off base and premature!!





Yes, I read the same and just shared that info on another thread a few moments ago, 7lives. Too, the evidence is obvious that we fans do NOT need to be giving up on Tim Masthay, as he may well be a starting punter from the first game of the season.

As many are saying, Coach Brooks loves Masthay's strong leg. Let's just all keep our fingers crossed that Masthay gets those punts off a bit quicker AND develops that confidence he needs as soon as possible. Regardless, our punting is currently a concern for this football team.